The Top 5 Benefits of Core Stability

As chiropractors, our main aim is to relieve patients’ pain and restore the spine and joints back to normal and full function.

Many low back and neck complaints can often recur so it’s important to consider long term stability. As patients enter the ‘maintenance’ phase of recovery, our aim is to promote good rehabilitation and encourage self-awareness. Learning how to help keep the core spinal muscles strong from the inside leads to better long term recovery. Thus the concept of including ‘core stability’ is born.

Your core stabilisers are the deep supporting muscles found within the ‘trunk’/ ‘torso’/ ‘midsection’ of your body attached to the spine, pelvis and shoulder blades. These stabilisers provide good support, balance and flexibility for the body during movement. Every movement your body makes originates in the core – whether this is reaching for your toothbrush, standing, or hoovering. If the core is not properly conditioned it will limit your body’s endurance, tolerance and put undue pressure onto the spine.

What is it Core Stability?

‘Core Stability’ is the ability of the core stabilisers to work efficiently, creating a stable base from which the spine can be correctly aligned and supported as the entire body moves. It provides a protective muscular corset for the spine and pelvis.

How does Core Stability happen?

‘Core Stability’ training is gained by doing the correct exercises which are not the conventional ‘weight training’ or ‘cardiovascular’ exercises done at the gym. They are precise, controlled, and small movements that work by contracting the deep stabilisers at once without putting pressure on the spine.

Pilates is one of the most popular choices of structured exercise that develop core body strength. It uses the body as its own form of resistance. Learning to breathe properly and perform slow, controlled movements allows a person to isolate and strengthen core muscles.

Top 5 Benefits of Core Stability:

  1. Good postural alignment
  2. Helps develop a good level of functional fitness – that is, fitness that is essential to both daily living and regular activities
  3. Improves muscular endurance and stamina
  4. Helps prevent low back injuries
  5. Can be done at any age and level of fitness

Though these stability exercises can be done alone we advise our patients to take one-on-one instruction first in order to get the technique and principles right. For further information please contact us at the clinic.